Mountain bike saddle

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of getting a new saddle and seatpost for my hardtail mountain bike
(a 1997 Kona AA). Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

saddles are saddles...use one that your bike fit and your butt anatomy
likes.

Quoted message said:

J. Spaceman

--
My email address ([email hidden]) is fake. Email sent to it
will only get caught in my spam tarpit.

Per Jason Spaceman:

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking of getting a new saddle and seatpost for my hardtail mountain bike
(a 1997 Kona AA). Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

If you're thinking in terms of padding, consider
http://www.canecreek.com/thudbuster_lt.html

Others will probably explain the problem with padding.
--
PeteCresswell

Quoted message said:

If you're thinking in terms of padding, consider
http://www.canecreek.com/thudbuster_lt.html

This works very well I have one on my Scott hardtail mountain bike and it
makes a big difference.
If it is too expensive try
http://www.gearshift.co.uk/acatalog/Seatposts.html the Suntour NEX. I have
one of these on my road tourer and it's OK but nowhere near as plush as the
Thudbuster.

SW

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of getting a new saddle and seatpost for my hardtail
mountain bike (a 1997 Kona AA). Are there MTB specific saddles, or
can I use a road bike saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with
extra padding, etc. for the rougher terrain, or do MTBs use the same
saddles as those found on road bikes (like my Trek 5200)?

Why the new seatpost? Suspension? Lighter weight?

As for saddles, there ARE some mtb-specific models -- usually just with
Kevlar "scuff sections" that hold up a bit better to being layed down and
leaned against trees and rocks and stuff. Not necessary by any means, but
might be a consideration if buying something new.

What's wrong with your current saddle, anyway?

Bill "has the saddle that came on my road bike on my mtb" S.

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of getting a new saddle and seatpost for my hardtail mountain bike
(a 1997 Kona AA). Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

Use the saddle that works for you, whether it's a skinny little roadie
perch, or a fat cruiser bucket, or (as is the case for most riders)
something in between.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
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Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of getting a new saddle and seatpost for my hardtail mountain bike
(a 1997 Kona AA). Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

J. Spaceman

--
My email address ([email hidden]) is fake. Email sent to it
will only get caught in my spam tarpit.

Personally, I find that narrow road saddles are lousy for
mountainbiking. I think wider saddles (such as most of the WTBs) give
the rider a lot more control.

Some people seem to do just fine on skinny road saddles, though... as
with most saddle questions, the answer is go with what works for you.

-Vee

Jason Spaceman said:

Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike saddle on my MTB?

Well... Key issue with any saddle is how well it fits you. Aside from that it is reasonable to expect that a saddle used for off-roading might have to take more punishment than a saddle used for roads. Some MTB-specific saddles have reinforced corners which makes them more resistant to tearing the cover after a fall or a bailout. It also makes sense to look for stronger rails on a MTB saddle to avoid getting speared in case one should fail the landing after a drop-off or similar. Even if your intention is purely XC one can never quite know what will happen.

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of getting a new saddle and seatpost for my hardtail mountain bike
(a 1997 Kona AA). Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

Saddles is saddles. Your butt's the same, so the saddles shouldn't be much
different. OTOH, you spend less time on the MTB saddle and when you are on it,
the ride is bumpier so somewhat more cushioning is not a bad idea. Nothing plush
mind you, but a bit more cushion than on a road race saddle is appropriate. Or
that's what works for me. A lot of people use the same saddle for both.

With the latest generation of suspended but not padded road saddles, there
probably should be a different saddle for XC riding.

Ron

Per RonSonic:

Quoted message said:

Saddles is saddles. Your butt's the same, so the saddles shouldn't be much
different. OTOH, you spend less time on the MTB saddle and when you are on it,
the ride is bumpier

Also, there's the issue of clothing getting hung up on some saddles when you
come forward after sliding off the back.

I'm thinking specifically of the Brooks B-17's that I ride. They're among the
few that fit my titanic tush, but they kind of suck in the hanging-up area.

Pounding down the saddlebag loops helps, but it's basically a matter of not
having a smooth interface on the back of the saddle.

Not a show-stopper for me, but something to consider when looking at a saddle.
--
PeteCresswell

I'm also wondering if I should avoid saddles with carbon rails, as I
read someplace that they are for lighter riders (sub-180lbs or so);
and I'm a heavy [censored] at 200lbs.

J. Spaceman

Bill Sornson said:

Why the new seatpost? Suspension? Lighter weight?

Well mainly to lighten things up a little, and sex my bike up a bit
with some new components. I don't really need a new seatpost, a new
saddle is a bigger priority; but if I can afford a new seatpost as
well then I will pick one up when I buy the saddle.

Quoted message said:

As for saddles, there ARE some mtb-specific models -- usually just with
Kevlar "scuff sections" that hold up a bit better to being layed down and
leaned against trees and rocks and stuff. Not necessary by any means, but
might be a consideration if buying something new.

What's wrong with your current saddle, anyway?

It was never that comfortable (at least not as comfortable as my road
bike saddle), and now it is starting to fall apart a little. I want
to get a new one before I start mntbiking again in the spring.

J. Spaceman

"Vee" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Personally, I find that narrow road saddles are lousy for
mountainbiking. I think wider saddles (such as most of the WTBs) give
the rider a lot more control.

Color me a fan of WTB saddles...I had Speed Vs on my road and Mountain
bikes. The dirt bike still does, but I got a Brooks B17 for my 10-speed
when I doubled my weekly milage last fall (not too impressive, It's been
crappy weather and I've only ridden 7 miles to Blockbuster and back in the
last 6 weeks and I'm getting fat again).

But yeah, I like WTB saddles.

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of getting a new saddle and seatpost for my hardtail mountain bike
(a 1997 Kona AA). Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

Sure, any saddle you wish.
Although you do see Flites and such on both road and offroad
bikes, it's not clear that you'd like the very same saddle
as your road bike. The riding position can be very different.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Jason Spaceman said:

On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 15:23:43 GMT, "Bill Sornson" wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What's wrong with your current saddle, anyway?

Quoted message said:

It was never that comfortable (at least not as comfortable as my road
bike saddle), and now it is starting to fall apart a little. I want
to get a new one before I start mntbiking again in the spring.

Still have the road bike saddle? Buy another one! (Or, in a perfect world,
your seatpost would fit both bikes 🙂 )

Bill "garage full of saddles; newest for road is a Form E-3 (so far so
good)" S.

Jason Spaceman said:

...Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

picking the perfect saddle is a life long endeavor. it's hard to know
ahead of time which saddles will be comfortable for your butt, and
which ones won't. your LBS may have a basket with samples you can try
for fit until you fins one that is comfortable. of course, when you
do find one that is comfortable, be sure to order it through them.

my skinny butt prefers a narrow saddle with a flexible shell but not a
lot of padding. but that's just me.

WTB makes nice soft shell saddles. I use the progel saddle on my MTB
and a rocket v on my road bike. the funny thing is that i used the
rocket on my MTB for 3-4 months and absolutely hated it. wanted to
throw it out. could never get comfortable on any length ride in spite
of constantly adjusting the tilt. by chance, i tried it on my road
bike and found it to be most comfy for 4+ hour rides. it's still on
there. the only difference as far as i can tell is that i am more
stretched out on the road bike and so my butt contacts the saddle at a
slightly different angle.

what's the moral of my ramblings you ask? finding the perfect saddle
for you can be a real pain in the, umm, sit bones?

In article <[email hidden]>,

Phil said:

Jason Spaceman said:

...Are there MTB specific saddles, or can I use a road bike
saddle on my MTB? Do MTB saddles come with extra padding, etc. for the rougher
terrain, or do MTBs use the same saddles as those found on road bikes (like my
Trek 5200)?

picking the perfect saddle is a life long endeavor.

Not for me. Perfectly comfortable on the same model for
ever. One saddle is delivering perfect service at 20+
years.

--
Michael Press